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Highs and lows

By BRUCE LOWITT and MIKE STEPHENSON

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 1, 2001

Highs

TONY GWYNN: Like Cal Ripken, he's a throwback to an earlier era. Not just the numbers -- 3,000-plus hits, a record 18 consecutive seasons batting above .300, eight batting titles, a lifetime .338 average (only Ted Williams' .344 is higher since World War II) -- but a magnificent career in the same uniform. Barry Bonds, Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., Kevin Brown, Alex Rodriguez -- they all left for the money. To Gwynn, like Ripken, loyalty to fans, even on lousy teams, was worth more.

RAY BOURQUE: Like John Elway and Michael Jordan (okay, maybe we're jumping the gun with MJ), Bourque retired with a championship. And unlike some stars who embarrass themselves, he wasn't just hanging on at the end of his career to get it.

FRED McGRIFF: While many of the veterans seem to have quit on the Rays, the first baseman was hitting a sizzling .397 in June through Thursday. It's a crime his talents aren't boosting a contender.

Lows

GERALD WILLIAMS: The Rays still have enough deadwood to build a raft. But Williams, their MVP a year ago (sort of like being captain of the Titanic), was -- with a .207 average this year -- particularly valueless. Maybe being a part-time Yankee (with championship potential) will motivate him more than being a full-time Ray (with a $3-million contract) did.

MARTINA HINGIS AT WIMBLEDON: Hello, I must be going.

RAYS BULLPEN: Groundhog Day.

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